System and method for producing hot water without a flame

Abstract

The present invention provides a system and method for producing hot water without a flame. The system and method heats water to at least a specified temperature without a flame by providing a source of water and a prime mover, pumping water from the source of water into one or more heat exchangers, pre-heating the water using the one or more heat exchangers, heating the pre-heated water to at least the specified temperature without a flame using a dynamic heat generator driven by the prime mover, using the heated water in the one or more heat exchangers to pre-heat the water and providing the heated water to an output.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates generally to the field of heating liquids and, more particularly, to a system and method apparatus for producing hot water without a flame.PRIORITY CLAIM[0002]This patent application is a non-provisional application of U.S. provisional patent application 60 / 668,541 filed on Apr. 5, 2005 and entitled “Flameless Hot Water System and Method,” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]One of the most pressing needs throughout the world is drinkable water. An untold number of humans die every year because the water they consume is contaminated. In some areas, people are forced to spend a great deal of time manually hauling water from a distant source to their homes and villages rather than taking the risk of drinking untested water that might be nearby.[0004]There are many methods of purifying water. One of the most common is reverse osmosis (RO). This process has been around for a ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012]The present invention provides a flameless hot water system and method that substantially eliminates or reduces at least some of the disadvantages and problems associated with previous systems and methods. Particular embodiments include a water purification system designed to heat water in excess of 212 degrees Fahrenheit using a heater driven by an engine, a turbine, an electric motor, a hydraulic motor or a combination thereof. The process can reach hot temperatures in a short period of time, generally under five minutes, and can, sustain a constant flow of water at those temperatures. The system typically requires no flames to heat the water, thereby making it safe in environments that may be subject to flammable materials such as hydrocarbons or gases. It can also be adapted to desalinate water by producing pure steam.

Problems solved by technology

An untold number of humans die every year because the water they consume is contaminated.

This process has been around for a long time, but it has its drawbacks.

Although RO systems can be inexpensive, there is an ongoing maintenance requirement of filter replacement.

Filters in RO systems can become clogged and / or damaged by constant exposure to the water source being purified.

Cost and availability of replacement filters and the skill level to perform this maintenance requirement can present a problem.

Although effective when the proper concentrations of chemicals are used, it is difficult to always measure the proper amounts.

In addition, this system of purification does not address problems with heavy metals that may be present in water.

Unfortunately, in many parts of the world where contaminated water is a major problem, the availability of materials to heat water, such as wood, does not exist.

In particular areas or industries, hot water and / or steam may be needed, but it may be critical that no open flames be used to heat the water.

This substance, while commercially useful in the manufacture of coatings, sealants, candles, rubber compounding, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, can present a problem with regard to the production of oil.

Paraffin suspended in the crude oil tends to clog perforations in the oil well's production string and slows the flow of crude oil to the surface.

Availability of water at the well site is a common problem, and unsafe conditions exist when an open flame, like those used to heat water or crude in the boiler tanks, is positioned near the wellhead where there may be a high concentration of natural gas in the atmosphere.

While this eliminates the open flame close to the wellhead, it can involve a large capital expenditure that may become economically viable only when there is a large concentration of wells in a relatively small area.

This may cause only distilled water to be delivered to the wellhead.

While this method eliminates open flames near the wellhead and does not require large capital expenditures, it does add substantial cost to the operation.

The chemicals are expensive, costs associated with the transportation and handling of hazardous chemicals is expensive, and the addition of these chemicals to the crude oil makes the refining process more expensive.

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